A POWERFUL display with bat and ball from Leon Botha failed to inspire Per-shore to victory in Satur-day's opening Worcester- shire County League first division game at Hagley.
The South African took 3-67 and then blasted a ferocious 96 but it was left to Trevor Ridings to bat out the final ten overs as the chasers clung on for a draw.
Botha and Lea Hawkes combined with the ball to reduce the home side to 125-5 after 40 overs but Andy Hadley's unbeaten 65 helped Hagley add 89 crucial run sin the last ten overs and post a total of 214-6.
The two star bowlers then shone with the bat with Botha smashing the ball to all parts of the ground.
The pair added 116 to leave Pershore in a commanding position at 164-2. However, once Hawkes fell for 49 and Botha's innings fell four short of a century - a knock that included seven 4s and eight 6s - the innings collapsed as the rain swept in but Ridings stood firm as the chase ended 14 runs short with the last pair at the crease.
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